Red Cross Hosts 4-day Lifeguard Course

South Lake - Community News to Note

November 18, 2001

Friends of South Lake will offer an American Red Cross lifeguard certification course at the USA Triathlon National Training Center, a part of South Lake Hospital, on Dec. 5 and 6 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Dec. 8 and 9 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Participants must attend all sessions. The cost is $125 a person. Payment is expected at time of registration.

The course includes lifeguard training, CPR for the professional rescuer and community first aid. Participants must be 15 years old, and should be able to swim continuously for 500 yards, submerge to a minimum depth of seven feet and retrieve a 10-pound object before returning to the surface, and tread water for a minimum of two minutes using the legs only.

For details, call 352-314-7444, Ext. 4205 or 352-394-4071, Ext. 4205.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan's Purse project supported by the South Lake YMCA and the Central Florida YMCA, is a project that gives individuals and families an opportunity to send a message of hope to children in crisis areas of the world through gift-filled shoe boxes.

Samaritan's Purse, a Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham, adopted Operation Christmas Child in 1993 as part of an effort to help countries in crisis. Samaritan's Purse is working in more than 50 countries.

Central Florida contributed more than 40,000 shoe boxes to the project last year. This year, the goal is to collect more than 45,000 shoe boxes. Shoe boxes may contain toys, stuffed animals, dolls, balls, cars, school supplies, pencil sharpeners, crayons, coloring books, writing pads, hygiene items, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, combs, hairbrushes, socks, T-shirts, flashlights with batteries, hard candy and gum. Boxes can be designated for a boy or girl, 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 9 years old, or 10 to 14 years old and may be picked up at the South Lake YMCA, 410 W. State Road 50. They must be returned the week of Nov. 12 to 19.

For more information or to arrange to pick up boxes, call the YMCA at 352-394-7243.

LIGHT UP CLERMONT

The lights and sounds of the holiday season will be spotlighted Dec. 7 and 8 for the annual Light Up Clermont festivities.

The fun begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 with the annual tree-lighting ceremony at a new location, Eighth Street and Lake Minneola.

The Kiwanis clubs are coordinating lighted displays to encircle the lake and reflect in the water, creating a holiday mood. Caroling, music and shopping will be part of the fun.

The South Lake High School Chorus will sell jingle-bell bracelets for $2 each. Calvary Church will present a celebration of music for the season. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the entertainment.

Festivities will include the annual arts and crafts show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days with booth displays lining Montrose Street from West Avenue to Seventh Street.

The Clermont PTO is organizing "reindeer games" at the Eighth Street Fishing Pier on Dec. 8. The annual holiday parade will begin at 1 p.m. downtown.

After the parade, there will be an encore performance of Calvary Church's musical group.

Details: 352-394-4191 or 352-429-5475.

LEARN TO DANCE

The South Lake YMCA offers a children's dance program for different age groups at Cagan Crossing.

Classes will include Tiny Tots, ages 2-4; an introduction to dance for ages 4-6 and Hip Hop I for ages 7 and older. Classes will continue each Thursday through Dec. 13.

The new satellite program will be held at the Resident Activity Center, 525 Avenida Cuarta, Cagan Crossing on U.S. Highway 27, north of U.S. Highway 192.

Fees for Tiny Tots classes are $35 for YMCA members and $50 for nonmembers; introduction to dance is $45 for members and $60 for nonmembers; Hip Hop I, $50 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Residents of Cagan Crossing may receive a discount. Details: 352-394-7243.

KINDERJAM

Kinderjam, an on-going program for children, has openings in their class for 3 -year-olds, on Mondays and Thursday, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

The program teaches arts and crafts, songs and stresses early childhood learning, which includes basic motor development. The fee for Kinderjam, per day, is $5 for YMCA members and $7 for nonmembers, with discounts available with payments by the month.

For more information, call 352-394-7243, or stop by the office, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SENIOR SLOW-PITCH

South Lake County seniors who are interested in playing softball are forming a slow-pitch team for those 55 or older. The winter league will start in November and currently practices twice a week. Interested seniors may call 352-242-4824.

COORDINATOR NEEDED

The South Lake County Community Foundation is seeking a volunteer coordinator to assist office personnel with upcoming events.

Duties would include scheduling volunteers, helping with mailings and making telephone calls. For more information, call LaRinda Braun or Jenny Wagner at 352-394-3818.